Tony Lowry was a pianist, arranger and composer who co-wrote with Douglas Brownsmith under the pseudonym John Belton.

Does anyone know Tony's date and place of birth and if he is deceased, his date and place of death.

I would also be interested in any other biographical information relating to his musical education and work experience.

Thanks

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Len Mullenger on July 28, 2008, 8:42 am, in reply to "Tony Lowry"217.155.206.169

On MusicWeb we have this from Philip Scowcroft

Collins and Spurgin may be ranked among the "production music" composers of the 1950s and 1960s, which, like light music composers generally, have been making something of a comeback on CD recently. We have mentioned a few in previous Garlands and here are a few more names: BRUCE CAMPBELL, exemplified by Skippy, adopted as the music for "seeing sport", Green Hills and Cloudland, Dudley Glass, whose Will o'the Wisp was used as interlude music in "In Town Tonight"; GEORGE CRUIKSHANK (e.g. Banbury Cake); CHARLES KENBURY (eg Channel Ferry); and DONALD THORNE, composer of Rippling Waters, adopted for a BBC TV programme. Thorne was also concerned jointly with TONY LOWRY in a suite Lights o'London, whose individual movements are entitled: Dawn, Kew Gardens; Noon, Oxford Street and Hyde Park; Dusk, Limehouse; and Midnight, Piccadilly. They were doubtless inspired by the earlier light suites on London penned by Eric Coates and Haydn Wood. Lowry appears to have collaborated, actively or passively, with several other British light music "greats". The Russian march, Samovar, was a joint production with Clive Richardson, who died late in 1998. The piece for piano and orchestra, Running Commentary, was arranged by Arthur Sandford. Seascape was adopted as the title music for the BBC programme "The Windjammers" in an arrangement by Robert Farnon; Landscape, by contract, also The Last of the Dandies, was arranged by Ronald Hanmer. Other Lowry titles include Hippodrome Memories and Willow Pattern. He did a fair bit of arranging on his own account and Hippodrome Memories certainly sounds like a potpourri.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Mike Thomson on November 27, 2008, 1:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

I only just happened on this thread about the pianist and prolific composer/arranger Tony Lowry. I have never been able to find out very much about him myself, but I do know that for a time he was Musical Director (perhaps latterly Advisor) to Cecil Bernstein's Granada Theatres. He was certainly there when the late Bryan Rodwell was a member of the circuit's superb team of organists during the first half of the 1950s. According to Bryan, Lowry's musical background included some contact (presumably as a student?) with Bela Bartok - certainly he was a high-powered figure.

As regards Lowry's collaboration with Donald Thorne, Thorne was also a Granada man. Pianist in the Staritas' Piccadilly Revels Band and the Jack Hylton Orchestra in the late 1920s, he turned his hand to the theatre organs and became a very well known broadcaster. Many organists wrote their own music (there was a market for light music plus you got broadcasting fees on it!) and Thorne was no exception. Tony Lowry's piece 'Doreen' is well known in the theatre organ world as signature tune for Doreen Chadwick, another Granada organist.

Rather sketchy, I'm afraid, but it might help to fill an informational gap!

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by A.R.Gleason on January 13, 2009, 9:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

I first met Clive Richardson about 1990/1 and I clearly recall his saying ruefully how few people had turned up for his former piano partner's funeral.

A bit vague I'm afraid, but I'll check to see if 'The Stage' or any of the music press commented on his passing, around this time

Alex G.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by stephen austin on September 2, 2009, 1:07 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"81.77.60.7

I always seem to come in at the back end of these sort of discussions, but I must say what a mine of information it has been. In preparing to give a forthcoming series of organ concerts (theatre organ and electronic organ)I was looking for an opening march - different from what everyone else plays. "Down The Mall" - John Belton - has been a favourite of mine for some while, but in rifling through piles of music, I found his "Time Marches On" and "Garrison Theatre". Searching on the internet for some background to the composer, I came across this forum, and discovered that John Belton is Tony Lowry! The mention of Bryan Rodwell brought back memories of my first job in late '60's when I went to Hammond Organ UK as assistant to George Blackmore, Musical Director. Bryan Rodwell was one of the Hammond staff organists and many's the time when I stood by his side watching and listening intently - I wish a bit more had rubbed off on me. Thanks for this fascinating information Stephen Austin Poulton-le-Fylde Lancs

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Kevin Parott on March 24, 2011, 5:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

In the late 1950s, I used to enjoy Granada TV's 'start up' music here in the north west. It's only in recent years that I learned it was the 'Granada March' by Tony Lowry, and by reading here about his connection with the Bernstein brothers Granada theatres, it now makes sense, as they founded Granada TV. I searched for years for a recording, and recently someone has uploaded it to You Tube to accompany a replica of the original Granada TV test card, as the piece used to do.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by kate short on March 31, 2011, 4:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

having spent many days trying to find out more about Tony Lowry came across your message board. My interest is that Tony was my grandmothers cousin and I am doing my family history. I know his mother was Emily Zugg and his father Alexander Ludwig Lowry and they married in Guildford 1882. I can find no birth records for Tony or Anthony Lowry so presumably this was not his given name. I have a photograph of Tony Lowry and Clive Richardson as young men probably late 30s early 40s. Any update would be of great interst.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Kevin Parrott on March 31, 2011, 6:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

Hello Kate, I too had difficulty tracking down info about Tony Lowry, and unfortunately I can add nothing that isn't here. However, there is a some reference to him on the 'Robert Farnon Society' website. Regards, Kevin

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by kate on April 1, 2011, 9:32 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

Hi Kevin

Thanks for your response, have seen 'Robert Farnon Society' article, will just have to keep digging.

Regards Kate

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Don on December 22, 2011, 4:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

IMDB lists the composer for 'Up the Creek' as Tony Lowry OR Tony Fones. A search for Tony Fones gives Anthony Fenton Fones, b. London 1919, d. London 1997.

Perhaps this is the real Tony Lowry? I haven't been able to find much more info.

Regards, Don T.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Kate on December 24, 2011, 12:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"86.169.90.108

That's looking very promising an avenue to investigate the dates are certainly right, thanks for that.

Have a good Christmas

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Nick Barnard on December 26, 2011, 4:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"2.24.218.176

I can't add any info to the Tony Lowry search but I did meet Tony Fones - he was a superb staff arranger for Chappells but very little of his was published - a Mary Poppins medley and an excellent Moon River excepted from memory. He died a few years ago but I might be able to find an (old) address) for his wife.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by John S. Batts on June 1, 2012, 4:47 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

On the possibility of Tony Lowry as Tony Fones, I wonder if this relates to an ABC cinema organist in the 1950s called "Tony Fenton" (then a young fellow). Subsequently I met "Tony Fenton" when he was working at The Granada Cinema, Tooting, but as I recollect, "Fenton" was a stage name for someone whose family name was Smithers -- a track of his was used on *The Organist Entertains* under the Robin Richmond presentership. All of which suggests to me a qualification to the notion that Tony Fones [Anthony Fenton Fones] was also Tony Lowry. Cheers, John.

Tony Fones was my father and he worked with Tony Lowry on many occasions.He spent a lifetime in the music business. Anthony Fenton Fones was my eldest brother. He was an arranger and orchestrator at the BBC. After mandatoty retirement from the BBC, Tony worked for them and others as a freelance until his death.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Jackie Richardson on May 8, 2012, 11:50 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

Hi Kate

I have just this minute started to look into my family tree. Tony Lowry was my great grandfather. I just found a little info that mum and I had started to pull together about 10 years ago. Unfortunately Tony's son my Grandfather Jack Lowry died a few years ago and my mother (maiden name) Janet Pauline Lowry died 6 years ago very young 62. So a little bit of a brick wall. Although one of my grandands sisters children is still alive and may no more. I might try and contact them.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Kate Short on May 8, 2012, 12:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

Hi Jackie

Thats fantastic news I have photo's and also Tony's family tree, thats why have been looking into him for so long. Maybe easier to contact me via my email direct, although I'm not sure how to go about it through this link.

Regards Kate

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Mike on May 28, 2013, 10:09 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"86.162.78.25

I have no personal knowledge of Tony Lowry, but having attended a concert at the English Music Festival and read something about him in their programme I thought I would see if I could find anything from the family history web sites.

Emily Mary ZUGG was born in Westminster in 1856. Both her parents were also born in England, despite the surname. Her father was described as a 'general dealer' in 1861, but he died in 1869, and in 1871 Emily, then 14, was a servant, living in a lodging house in Jermyn Street. Her mother died in 1873.

In 1882, in Guildford, Emily married Alexander Ludwig LOWY, who was born in 1860 in Hungary. No record of either of them has been found in the 1881 census.

In 1888 the birth of Alexander Ludwig Lowy was registered in Kingston, Surrey, and in 1891 Alexander and Emily LOWY were living in Kilburn Priory, Hampstead with a 3 year-old son named Alexander L Lowy, whose birthplace is recorded as Wimbledon. Alexander senior is described as a 'foreman tailor'. There is also a general servant and a nurse servant in the household (and see below).

In the census of 1901, in St Pancras, there is Ludwig LOWY, aged 42, a tailor cutter, born in Hungary, with Emily and son Tony, aged 13, born in Wimbledon, as well as a servant girl. This 'Tony' must be the Alexander Ludwig born in 1888.

None of these has been found in the census of 1911, but in 1913 Anthony A L LOWRY married Isabel F O Roberts, in Woolwich. The middle letters make it almost certain that this is the original Alexander Lowy. Isobel was born in Hereford, and was living in Stafford in 1911. In 1914 Jack A B Lowry was born in Wandsworth; his mother's maiden name is recorded as Robarts. This is clearly the Jack mentioned by Jackie Richardson.

Isobel F O Lowry died in 1971, Paddington; her birth date is given as 5.4.1893, but no death for Jack Lowry has been found. Nor any deaths for Alexander the elder, his wife, or Anthony/Alexander.

A very interesting point is that in 1891, at the same address as the Lowy family, was a lodger named Edward German, aged 29, musician and composer, born Whitchurch, Shropshire. (Wikipedia says that from 1886 German lived in Maida Vale; the Lowy's address is not far from Maida Vale, but in 1901 and 1911 German was living in Marylebone with a family named Friswell.) No other evidence of any link between German and the Lowy family has been found.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Kate Short on May 28, 2013, 12:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

Hi Mike

Brilliant info, thank you so much for taking the time and trouble I am very grateful as this is of great help.

Regards Kate

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Jackie on March 2, 2014, 8:32 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

Kate sorry only just seen your response I would love a copy of my great grandfather's family tree and to see the photos. Also can anyone suggest some links to be able to hear his music. There is a family story I recall that he has composed the Queens funeral music?

To my uncle Jonathan what a surprise? Would love to know what your up to was really concerned when you didn't come to mum's celebration of life party.

How can we contact each other direcyly via email? Jack

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by jonathan lowry on March 2, 2014, 10:19 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

e/mail. jackie.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Jackie Richardson on March 2, 2014, 11:31 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

Jonathan let me have your telephone number and I'll phone you.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by jonathan lowry on March 8, 2014, 5:57 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"94.197.122.93

e/mail jl104259@gmail.com.phone,07427526272.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Kevin Parrott on October 3, 2014, 10:11 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"86.145.155.85

I was just listening to Tony Lowry's Granada March, and purchased the original recording from Amazon music. I thought I would try another 'Tony Lowry' search on Google and have found that there are currently a couple of his 78s (Decca Records), and sheet music for sale oneBay.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by jonathan lowry on March 1, 2014, 8:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"

he was my grandad.his son my dad was jack antony belton,died devon 2008.his wife my mum jean alace brant died tenterden kent 1972.people know more about my lot than i do !!!!!

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Gill Miller on May 22, 2014, 9:48 am, in reply to "Re: Tony Lowry"118.210.55.40

Tony Lowry and Ralph Richardson were friends of my parents and I can vaguely remember them visiting, arriving in a convertible card. Tony Lowry is, I believe my brother's godfather.

Re: Tony Lowry

Posted by Mike Ruffle on June 11, 2013, 9:47 am, in reply to "Tony Lowry"86.173.239.39

I've now done a few more checks and can say with some certainty that Tony LOWRY, musician, was born 5 March 1888, in Wimbledon. His birth was registered as Alexander Ludwig LOWY. He married as Anthony A L LOWRY in 1913, and died as Anthony LOWRY on 29 February 1976, in Paddington (aged 87). As to his musical CV, I have found little beyond the information given earlier by others. He lived at the same address as Edward German in 1901. In 1927 Columbia's New April Records included a 'Piano Medley of Old Songs' played by Tony Lowry (12in record, 4/6). And from 1930 on (at the latest) he appeared frequently in BBC schedules. His wife's grandfather was a John Bilton, and Tony's two children both had a third or fourth forename BELTON (see earlier entries).